It took six months to build Indiesew.com in 2014. At the time, there weren't many off-the-shelf systems that offered what we knew our customers needed from a sewing community. We couldn't find a single shopping cart system that checked all the boxes.

So we built Indiesew ourselves. Steve (Indiesew's co-founder) spent the first part of 2014 coding our website from the ground up. It was an incredible undertaking, and is even more astounding that our website is still stable today. In tech, where coding languages turn over in a month's time, this is pretty impressive.

But after four years, we know our site needs a refresh. It needs new features. It needs bugs fixed. And that's where you come in.

As we start the process of rebuilding Indiesew, we want to know what you want to see. What parts of Indiesew.com do you love? Which could you do without? What would your dream site look like? We want to make it happen.

So, as we often do before we start a new endeavor, we're collecting your feedback. The 2018 Indiesew Website Survey is now live and ready for your responses. We're asking for your honest feedback, so we can make the smartest choices when we relaunch a new site.

The survey should take roughly five minutes to complete. The survey closes August 19th at 10 p.m. MDT.

As promised, today we're showing you the step-by-step process of sewing the Kila Tank in video format! See how quick and easy it is to sew this basic design.

In the video, we mention using a product called Heat N Bond Soft Stretch (Lite/Sewable Version). For two tank tops, you'll likely use a full roll, but it is worth every penny. In my experience, I've achieved a much neater result using this product.

Earlier this week we launched the Kila Tank sewing pattern! This basic design is a fitted rib knit tank top with a slight racerback cut and a deep scoop neckline.

After we shot the Kila Tank on our model Danie, I felt it was necessary to show the tank top on a few more varied body types. I know how important it is to know what strap coverage looks like on tank tops. You need to see how the slight racerback design deals with full-coverage bra straps. So we decided to shoot the Kila Tank on two more models! The two women below are sisters: Jess (grey tank) and Arielle (red tank). And we are forever grateful to them for letting us take their photos!

Jess is 5'4" and we sewed the size that her waist and hip measurements put her in, knowing that this rib knit fabric would have plenty of stretch to accommodate her bust measurement. We did shorten Jess' tank top by 1" since this pattern is drafted for a height of 5'6".

Jess is wearing a full-coverage bra in these photos without a racerback design. You'll notice that her bra straps are completely hidden both in the front and in the back. The tank top hugs her body and accentuates her hourglass figure.

Arielle is 5'6", with a smaller bust, and we sewed the size that her bust measurement put her in. Her bra straps are also completely hidden both in the front and back. We didn't adjust the length of her Kila Tank at all.

You'll notice that because the Kila Tank is sewn in super stretchy rib knit fabric, a good fit is pretty easy to achieve. There's just an 1" increment between sizes 0 through 14 and 1.5" increment between 16 and 18, so it's likely you'll find a good fit within a three-size range.

For example, I can wear a size 2, 4, or 6 in the Kila Tank and they all fit well. The size 2 is pretty tight; I like it for tucking into high-waisted pants. The size 4 feels good for working out, because it has a tiny bit more ease but is still close-fitting. And the size 6 feel great as a pajama top or when worn more casually with skinny jeans.

I hope this post helps more fully illustrate the Kila Tank fit on different body types. Grab your copy of the Kila Tank sewing pattern and get started on your own!

A few years ago I discovered the versatility of a fitted rib knit tank top. I bought a vintage rib knit tank from an Etsy shop and soon noticed that I was reaching for it constantly. That tank top was pretty much always on my body: with shorts, tucked into skirts, as a workout top, and (perhaps most frequently) as a pajama top.

Since then, I've been scouring my favorite ethical clothing shops for fitted rib knit tank tops. But it's not something you see often in ready-to-wear. So as my lone rib knit tank was worn to obliteration, I decided it was time to make this design into a sewing pattern.

Kila Tank Sewing Pattern

Kila is a fitted tank top designed for stretchy rib knit fabrics. A slight racerback design gives this top a sporty look, but won’t reveal conventional bra straps. Kila’s deep scoop neckline and armholes are finished with a bulk-free binding method that mimics ready-to-wear techniques.

The Kila Tank has several inches of negative ease making it a great basic layering tank top. Come fall and winter, I'll be wearing my Kila Tank under button-up shirts and sweaters.

This pattern is well-suited for the beginner sewist who has some experience sewing with stretchy knit fabrics.

Batch sew & Binding Tutorial

The Kila Tank's neckline and armhole binding method is commonly used in ready-to-wear fashion, but is not often seen in the home sewing world. It's a quick and easy method that results in a clean finish.

But since most of you are likely accustomed to the four quarters binding method, we'll be presenting an in-depth tutorial on how to sew the Kila's bindings in a batch-sew method that will allow you to sew several tank tops at a time. Stay tuned for that!

Kila Tank on Different Body Types

In the coming weeks we'll also be showing you what the Kila Tank looks like on a different body type than shown above. We know it's important to know what the strap and racerback coverage looks like in different sizes, so that will be available for you as well!

Indiesew Luxe Rib Knit Fabrics

UPDATE: The three fabric shown below are sold out, but we're hoping to restock them as soon as possible!

We've got a great line up of rib knit fabrics in the Indiesew Fabric Shop, but there are three in particular that are ideal for this pattern because of their pill-resistance and excellent recovery.

From my experience, my Kila Tanks get worn and washed a lot. It was important to me to find rib knit fabrics that will resist pilling and won't stretch out. The three rayon/poly/spandex blends shown below passed our wash and wear test with flying colors. I've washed these fabrics on rather aggressive wash and dry cycles several times and there are no signs of degradation.

I've been wearing my Kila Tanks to bed and when I wake up in the morning they aren't even remotely stretched out. The recovery of this fabric is incredible.

The red and blue rib knits shown below are notoverstock fabric, but we're sourcing them because we want to provide durable fabrics for a design that is likely to see a lot of washing and wearing. We want your handmade garments to stand the test of time.

They're a higher price point ($20 per yard), but you'll notice a huge difference in quality. These are part of our new Luxe line of fabric.

The grey rib knit shown below is overstock fabric, but after examination and experimentation, we believe it is produced by the same manufacturer as the red and blue. So that fabric is offered at almost half the cost of our two Luxe substrates for the exact same quality until it sells out.

The Kila Tank requires only 1 to 1.25 yards of fabric, making this a quick, affordable sewing project! If you've never sewn with rib knit fabric, check out our Fabric Files: Rib Knit post.

We'll be back later this week with more Kila Tank resources! Stay tuned!

We're back with another installment of Fabric Files! This week we're talking about the literal OG of fabric: linen. In this post, we'll talk about where linen came originated, how it's made, and what makes it so irresistibly charming to so many sewists.

Linen Defined

Linen is “bast" fiber made from the flax plant. “Bast” simply means that the plant fiber is collected from the inner bark surround the stem of the plant. Bast fibers tend to be soft and flexible.

The History of Linen

The Latin name for the flax plant is linum, which is likely where from the word linen was derived. Linen is likely the oldest textile known to man. The oldest linen sample studied was found in a cave in Georgia that dates back 36,000 years and was likely made with wild flax fibers. Egyptian mummies were wrapped in linen that is still intact today (Source).

Flax was first grown as a domesticated crop in ancient Mesopotamia and at that time linen fabric started to be produced in larger quantities. Today, the best linen fabrics originate from flax grown in Western Europe and Ukraine.

Linen Characteristics

Linen fabric is absorbent and breathable, often feeling cool to the touch. It is an inelastic fiber, which is why linen creases (and stays creased) so easily.

100% Seafoam Green Linen Fabric (sold out)

Woven linen typically has a semi-loose weave and a fluid drape, making it ideal for any type of garment where a flowy substrate is desired. But despite its movement, linen is still a stable fabric with body, making it relatively easy for the beginner sewist to work with. Knit linen fabrics are available, but are less commonly used than their woven counterparts.

Linen fabric often has a “slub” texture, where tiny visible knots are noticeable on the fabric surface. This, and its tendency to wrinkle easily, are what are often considered part of linen’s charm. Finer linen fabric will have a less noticeable slub texture.

How to Care for Linen Fabric

Linen fabric is also relatively easy to care for because it’s such a durable fabric. Before washing, some linen fabrics will feel very stiff to the touch. This is because sizing (a starch-like compound) has been applied to the fabric during production. After washing your linen fabric it will soften up considerably.

Because linen is prone to some shrinkage, it should be prewashed on a warm cycle and dried on a medium tumble cycle. After the garment is sewn up we recommend washing in cold water and line drying to preserve the fabric.

Creases can be tough to iron out of linen fabric, so it’s best to iron when the fabric is still slightly damp. And remember that part of linen’s charm is its tendency to wrinkle, so embrace it!

How to Buy Linen Fabric

Since linen is difficult to produce, it’s often one of the most expensive apparel substrates on the market. You can expect to pay between $15 and $25 per yard for 100% linen fabric.

Apparel linen fabric tends to weigh between 4 and 7 ounces (115 to 198 gsm) per yard. Lighter colored linen fabrics (like those you see below) that weigh 4 ounces per square yard or less can be somewhat sheer.

Linen pants have come in and out style over the past century, known to be especially breathable for hot weather. The Oceanside, Nehalem, and Luna Pants shown below would all be fabulous made out of linen.

I hope this installment of Fabric Files has been a useful insight into linen fabrics. Grab a few yards of linen fabric, your favorite sewing pattern, and start experimenting with this fun substrate!

I really like sewing two comparable patterns when I'm considering a certain silhouette. The process of sewing two similar patterns is something I encourage all sewists do, if you've got time.

Each time I sew two comparable patterns, I find elements of both designs that I love. This process gives me the chance to suss out fit and fabric choice, and my next make is usually a mashup of both designs. And getting two wearable garments out the process feels like a win!

Okay, now back to my new summer shorts. I haven't been a shorts-wearer for the past few summers, simply because I didn't have any that fit well and I felt good in. I'm so glad I made some time to finally sit down and sew a few pairs. And now I'm living in shorts!

Lander Shorts by True Bias

The Lander Short by True Bias (View A) is a high-waisted design with a button fly and front and back patch pockets. I used the Lander Zipper Expansion on these shorts to convert the button fly to a zipper fly. You can see my full-length Lander Pants with the original button fly here.

I sewed my Lander Shorts in this 8.3-oz Charcoal Grey Cotton Twill fabric. For reference, this fabric has no stretch and I sewed the size 6. The fit is pretty tight, but because Lander has generously large side seam allowances (1"), I can let these out for a more relaxed fit if I choose to. I love having that option.

I decided to sew the patch pockets on, knowing I could easily remove them if I don't love the look. I do think they make these shorts look more casual, which I like.

I've been pairing my Lander Shorts with my linen Willow Tank and it's been a great summer outfit to stay cool in. I know these will get a ton of wear over the next few years.

Persephone Shorts by Anna Allen

The Persephone Short by Anna Allen (View B) is also a high-waisted design with a concealed button fly (more on how I converted that to a zipper fly below). Persephone has no side seams and has front waist In-seam pockets (which I omitted on this pair).

I sewed my Persephone Shorts in this 13.1-oz. Eggplant Cotton Twill fabric. This fabric also has no stretch and I sewed the size 4. The fit feels pretty darn perfect. This fabric is heavier than what the pattern recommends, but it still works great. I think I'll sew up a pair of eggplant Persephone Pants for fall!

I omitted the front waist inseam pockets on this pair, because I've found that I just don't use them on my denim Persephone Pants. I also followed the Lander Zipper Expansion instructions for converting this fly to a zipper fly. Besides sewing the fly on the opposite side as intended (oops!), the process worked flawlessly! The zipper fly eliminates some of the bulk in that area and looks really clean.

I've been pairing my Persephone Shorts with my Alder Shirt (I just shortened the Alder Shirtdress) tied around the waist. This design is ultra high-waisted and I like to highlight that feature by bringing the eye to that area.

Overall Thoughts

Both the Lander and Persephone Shorts are patterns that I will definitely be sewing again. Here are some ways the two patterns differ:

The Persephone Shorts feature a concealed button fly, while the Lander Shorts feature an exposed button fly. I sewed both versions above with a zip fly.

The Lander Shorts have a zipper expansion pack to convert the button fly to a zip fly. The process outlined in the expansion pack can be used on the Persephone Shorts without modifying the Persephone pattern pieces.

Both pair of shorts are the exact same length on me.

The Persephone Shorts have a roughly 2.5" higher rise than the Lander Shorts, resulting in an ultra high-waisted 70s look.

The Lander Shorts' patch pockets give them a more casual look, but could be easily removed. Persephone's waist pockets are hidden and there are no back pockets.

The Lander Shorts have larger side seam allowances and side seams which could make them easier to fit. Though, it should be mentioned that I am curvy and I have had no issues fitting the Persephones with the straight size 4.

The Lander Shorts run smaller than the Persephone Shorts. I'm a size 6/8 in the Landers and a size 4 in the Persephones.

But both designs have back darts to assist with fitting.

Both designs have similar sizing. Lander is available in sizes 0 - 18 (up to a 38.5" waist) and Persephone is available in sizes 0 - 20 (up to a 39" waist).

I hope this comparison post has been useful for you! If you're still on the fence, I recommend sewing both designs in similar fabrics to see what feels best on your body. Both patterns are well drafted with stellar instructions!

Can we talk about linen for a second? I've experimented with this natural-fiber fabric here and there, but not ever with any great conviction. For years, my warm weather go-to fabric was rayon challis because it drapes well and has a soft hand.

But last week I decided to sew up a color blocked Willow Tank and my opinion on linen took a 180-degree turn. Turns out, linen is an incredibly breathable fabric for hot-weather. It's typically opaque, so there's no lining needed. And the drape and movement of linen is hard to beat.

Yes, some linen fabric wrinkles easily, but I personally feel that adds to the charm of this substrate. And lately I've noticed that quality 100% linen fabrics (like those we offer) don't tend to look overly wrinkly when sitting all day. The wrinkles tend to fall out after a few minutes of standing up.

So now that I've professed my love for the slubby goodness of linen, let's talk about my newest make: a color blocked Willow Tank!

This make showed up in my search for linen tank top inspiration and I was instantly moved to create my own version when our new linen fabrics arrived. I loved the look of the Seafoam Linen paired with the Camel Linen, so I set to work modifying the Willow Tank pattern pieces.

To create a color blocked look, I simply cut the front and back bodice pattern pieces at the higher lengthen/shorten line. Then I took an inch off the lower bodice pieces and blended the side seams of the upper and lower front bodice to match. Taking two inches in length (one inch off the total length + one inch in the 1/2" seam allowance) makes the top a bit more cropped for wearing with high-waisted pants.

The images above are rough illustrations of the Willow Tank pattern pieces to illustrate the color block method and not the exact pattern shapes. The darts have been omitted for simplicity.

I also raised the dart of my Willow Tank by 1" which is a typical adjustment for me. Now it hits perfectly at the apex of my bust.

Once my pattern pieces were modified, I cut out my fabric on the fold as shown below. I assembled each front and back bodice, before following the pattern's instructions. When I got to the side seams, I took extra care to make sure my color blocked seams were aligned.

For the armhole and neckline bias binding, I used the camel color linen for some contrast inside the garment.

I've been wearing my Willow Tank with my Ginger Jeans (View B) and a pair of Teysha sandals. It also pairs well with my Lander Shorts (used with the Zipper Expansion). Since I finished this tank top last week, I've worn it at least three times!

If you haven't tried the Willow Tank by Grainline Studio yet, you can grab your copy to get started. If you've sewn your own, we'd love to see your creation. Upload some photos of yours and provide some inspiration to fellow sewists.

The Great Tank Bonanza has returned! Every year we set aside an entire week to celebrate sleeveless tops for a few reasons:

Tank tops are typically beginner-friendly sewing patterns with no sleeves to set in and quick sewing time.

Tank tops are stash busting projects that typically require less than 1.5 yards of fabric. Typically, you'll have fabric on-hand that will work for a tank top pattern.

Tank tops get a ton of wear! We pair them with jeans, shorts, layered under other shirts, making them a total wardrobe workhorse.

Tank tops are our most popular category of patterns here at Indiesew. And since we love to deliver sewing inspiration that is the most useful to you, the Great Tank Bonanza was born in 2016. Check out these past blog posts for even more inspo:

Pattern Sale

It wouldn't be the Great Tank Bonanza without a pattern sale! All tank top sewing patterns are discounted by 20% until Sunday, June 17 at 10 p.m. MST. Use coupon code GREATTANK at checkout to receive the discount. Any pattern that includes a sleeveless top option is included in this promotion!

I sewed the size 4 based on my measurements in relation to the size chart and the fit is perfect. I like the close fit under the arm, as my bra doesn't show at all. This will easily become one of my go-to summer tank tops.

From start to finish, the Pony Tank sewed up in just a couple of hours. I used this method for the knit-bound armholes. The pattern's v-neckline instructions are stellar, resulting in a beautiful finish.

Here, I'm wearing my Pony Tank with a pair of ready-to-wear skinny jeans and my Mohinders City Slippers. Things are pretty casual around Indiesew HQ in the summer and this is an ideal work outfit for me as it's comfortable and still put-together.

Blog Tour

We've got a great group of bloggers lined up to deliver even more tank top inspiration this week. Note the schedule below and be sure to check out each blogger's post to see what pattern they've sewn!

I'm a recent bodysuit convert, a garment I had never given a chance until a few weeks ago. Bodysuits (basically adult onesies, right?) are amazing for so many reasons: you don't have to worry about your shirt riding up your torso and coming untucked. Bodysuits complement high-waisted bottoms perfectly because they lay nice and smooth under the waistband. And they're comfortable because everything stays in place no matter how much you move around.

We've had plans to sell both the Nettie and Rowan bodysuits for several months now. I knew that I wanted to sew both to compare the fit and we've finally had an opening in our blog calendar to make it happen.

So I pulled two fabrics from the Indiesew shop (our Oatmeal and sold-out Navy Striped Rayon Jerseys) and started cutting out the patterns. Both designs came together quickly, as most knit garments do, and as I tried both on I was immediately I was hooked. Here, let me show you:

The Nettie Bodysuit by Closet Case Files

The Nettie Bodysuit sewing pattern by Closet Case Files is actually a dress and bodysuit pattern-in-one. It's avery fitted design intended for fabrics with at least 50% stretch. Nettie has the option for a scoop or high front neckline and three back neckline options. Three sleeve options are included: short, 3/4, and long.

The Nettie's leg holes are finished with knit bands (no elastic needed for that part), as is the neckline. Here's an in-depth tutorial for that method if you need it. The bodysuit closure at the crotch is achieved with snaps.

I sewed my Nettie Bodysuit in the Oatmeal Striped Rayon Jersey (this fabric has 60% stretch) and chose the scoop front neckline with the high back neckline.

First, let's talk about sizing on this pattern. My bust/waist/hip measurements are 33/27/38 and I initially sewed a size 4 (which has roughly the same finished garment measurements as Rowan's size XS), knowing this garment has a lot of negative ease.

Unfortunately the size 4 was way too tight, so I sized up two sizes to the size 8 which is still pretty snug around the bust/armpits, but is definitely wearable. I do plan on sewing the size 4 next fall in a super stretchy rib knit, which I think will work great.

I love the deep scoop of the knit-bound neckline and the short sleeve length. I've been wearing my Nettie under my Burnside Bibs. I love the look of a super-fitted tee under a wider leg bottom to balance things out. It also look greats worn with the Ginger Jeans!

The Rowan Bodysuit by Megan Nielsen

Rowan by Megan Nielsen is a fitted bodysuit and tee sewing pattern with a ton of options. Three neckline options (crew, v-neck, and turtle neck) complement three sleeve options (short, 3/4, and long).

Rowan's leg holes are finished with elastic, which is encased in the fabric and stitched down. The bodysuit closure at the crotch is achieved with snaps or hook-and-eyes.

I sewed my Rowan Bodysuit in our sold-out Navy Striped Rayon Jersey and chose the v-neckline and short sleeves.

I sewed the XS in this pattern based on the finished garment measurements and the fit is perfect. My v-neckline is the best I've ever sewn, I'm super happy with the result. I also really like the way you sew the facings at the crotch closure. The result is super clean.

I've been pairing this bodysuit with my Persephone Pants as shown above. Honestly, I've been wearing this outfit at least once per week. It's such an easy look!

I love the fit of the Rowan so much that I'm hoping to make a few fitted long-sleeve tees for Fall. This may become my go-to fitted knit tee pattern.

Overall Thoughts

Like I said, I'm an instant convert to the bodysuit. They're just SO easy to wear and feel really comfortable. But there are some noticeable differences between these two designs.

The sizing of these two patterns is very different. The Nettie is offered in numeric sizing (0 - 20) and Rowan is offered in alpha sizing (XS - XL). Because of that, Nettie will have a smaller grading increment between sizes that could be helpful to achieve the perfect fit. The Nettie also has a much larger size range available.

Keep in mind that Nettie is much more fitted than the Rowan, so I recommend sizing up if you're between sizes. Sew a muslin first to check the fit. Using a fabric with more or less stretch than mine will surely result in a different fit.

I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that both the Nettie and Rowan do give me some major panty-lines. But I'm not sure this can be avoided unless the legholes are cut with a more thong-like fit.

For my next versions, I'd like to experiment with a low profile fold-over elastic and a different leg hole cut. But when I'm wearing the bodysuits with relaxed-fit pants or a skirt, the panty-lines aren't as noticeable.

Overall, I'm a huge fan of both patterns. When I'm looking for something skin-tight, I'll reach for the Nettie. When I want something slightly more relaxed, Rowan will be my choice. Regardless, there will be many more bodysuits added to my wardrobe over the next several months!

Today marks the last day of our Coram Week celebration! We had four sewing bloggers show us their interpretation of the Coram Top and Dress sewing pattern and I'm now thoroughly inspired to sew a few more versions! You can see each of their posts here:

Today, I'm showing you a silk Coram Dress that I've been dreaming up for a while now. The first time I sewed the Coram Dress, I made a simple waist tie to give the silhouette some shape. But this time, I wanted to add an elastic waist for added comfort and ease. I love the result.

For this version, I sized down to a 2 (graded to a 4 in the hips) due to a slight amount of stretch in this silk crepe fabric. The fit feels great through the shoulders and bust, with lots of ease through the waist and hips.

I used our How to Add an Elastic Waist tutorial for this dress. That method worked really well to give the shape some waist definition, while still being insanely comfortable to wear.

Because the Coram is a relatively basic design, you can elevate the look with a fun floral print. This silk crepe fabric has an Asian-inspired floral motif that I love. Instead of the neck band, I use bias tape for this neckline and the result feels really clean.

This is such an easy dress to throw on in the summer with some clogs or sandals. Because it's silk, it's super breathable and the wrinkles fall out of it easily. I can see lots of wear of this dress in the future!

If you haven't yet, grab your copy of the Coram Top and Dress sewing pattern. It's a great beginner-friendly sewing project!